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Published 15:59 15 Dec 2022 GMT
Updated 16:47 15 Dec 2022 GMT
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The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will lead Argentina into Sunday's final, where they will face current world champions France, who booked their place in the final with a 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday night.
Messi will go into the game knowing it's his last chance to win the competition as a player, something that has clearly inspired him at this tournament.
The little Argentinian has scored five goals and registered three assists in six games so far in Qatar, and provided a trademark moment of Messi magic in Argentina's semi final win against Croatia. [caption id="attachment_370865" align="alignnone" width="2048"]
Messi has been in inspired form in Qatar (Getty)[/caption]
France are now the only things standing between Messi and the one title that has eluded him.
They've got their own talisman at this tournament - Messi's Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappe, who will be looking to secure back-to-back World Cup triumphs at the age of just 23.
The French forward signed a new contract with PSG earlier this year after receiving significant interest from Real Madrid.
Several reports claim the forward now has a say in sporting matters at the Parc des Princes, although the true extent of this is unknown.
So, some have wondered whether things might be a bit frosty between Messi and his club if he thwarts France's bid to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since 1962. [caption id="attachment_370866" align="alignnone" width="2048"]
Fans have wondered if things could be tense between Messi and Mbappe when they return to club football (Getty)[/caption]
One person said: "Messi will be in a really tough position on Sunday. If he wins the World Cup, he might get sacked by Mbappe from PSG on Monday."
Another put: "He could call Piers Morgan for an interview to sack Messi with immediate effect."
A third tweeted: "If Messi wins it Mbappe should sack him lol."
While another added: "Mbappe would be looking at Messi with fury."
It won't be the first time that Mbappe and Messi have met at a World Cup. The French forward put in an unbelievable display when Les Bleus met Argentina in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup, inspiring his side to a thrilling 4-3 win over the South Americans. The duo were not club teammates at the time though, as Messi was still at Barcelona. Related links:“When he’s bad, wow.” – Roy Keane launches criticism at Premier League star
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